Why Easter Outshines Christmas

This article was written by Pastor Ted Carnahan for publication in the Jackson County Pilot.

I recently had a delightful chat with some students at my church. I posed a question: "What’s the most important day on the church calendar?" Their answer? Christmas. I can’t say I was shocked. After all, our culture pours so much into Christmas, including gifts, festivities, and special events galore. It’s a beautiful season, no doubt. But here’s the thing: the real answer is Easter.

Easter is the heartbeat of our faith. It’s the day we celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Think about that for a moment. If Easter truly happened, that is, if Jesus really rose, then it’s the most monumental event in human history. Everything changes because of it. And if He didn’t rise? Well, then Christianity would crumble at its foundation. But we believe He did, and that’s why we rejoice!

The resurrection validates who Jesus is: the Son of God, victorious over sin, death, and the grave. It’s His triumph that gives us hope that we, too, can be saved from those same dark forces. Easter proves His power, showing that Good Friday wasn’t just the death of a man from Nazareth, but the sacrifice of God’s own Son, bringing life and light to us all.

So, friends, I warmly invite you to celebrate Easter with gusto this year! But don’t stop there: join us for all of Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday this coming weekend. When we walk through the whole story, from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to His cross and glorious resurrection, we see the depth of His love and the strength of His promise. It’s a chance to put Him first, to trust in His cross, and to hope in His victory. I'm looking forward to gathering as a community, lifting our voices in praise, and embracing the joy of our risen Lord!